Genealogy Chat

Hi, My grandmother had an adopted sister, don't know where to start looking. All I know is that she does not show on 1901 census. Don't know when the child was adopted, but can make a rough estimate. I have a photograph of her as a young adult, but rellies can't remember anymore other than her name. Will this be a dead end for me? Really appreciate advice. Lou

Hi Jill, I think I may have mislaid you on this, my grandmother's parents didn't have aone of their children adopted - they adopted a child. I know her name was Esther but family don't know if this was the name her natural parents gave her or the one my ancestors gave her. That's why I don't know where to start. If I look on bmd site I can only look for her birth name and I don't know her birth surname!!!! Hence my problem, but I appreciate your advice, Lou

Hi Looby, When you say Esther doesn't appear on 1901 census, do you mean she is not yet with your Gt-grandparents and their family, or is it that she was not born until after 1901 census? Or you simply don't know a rough dob? Often people took on a child who was a member of the extended family - could she have been an illegitimate grand-daughter? Most people that I have come across who were 'brought up' by another family retained the same forename, but sometimes took the family's surname. Don't know that I can help at all, but perhaps if you could post a few more details of the adopting family, and dates, one of the GR supersleuths might be able to come up with some possibilities. Jay

chances are - as adoption didnt become a 'legal' thing until 1920's - that they just 'aquired' her...she may have come from closer to home than you'd imagine... You say you can estimate a date they adopted her - the older she was , the less likely they were to have changed her first name

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. As suggested a little more info on the adopted family. John Jackman head, Mary Jackman wife, natural children Doris, Florrie, Maud, Gladys, adopted child Esther Jackman. Living in Manchester. Esther is not yet with my grandmother and her parents in 1901. My rellies believe that Esther was neither the youngest or eldest child so I can only assume she must have been born inbetween the remaining children's births, 1896 - 1900. Regards Lou

Hi, Do you know if Esther married. It may be worth looking for - then again, she'll probably just name your great grandfather as her father. Good luck anyway Helen x

what was mother mary maiden name? ( maybe a child of her younger sister) Got it: Clemson...

Name: Clemson, Esther Record Type: Births Quarter: March Year: 1883 District: Bolton County: Lancashire Volume: 8c Page: 453 there is also the death of an Esther Clemson Pooh - thought maybe that was her mother but not Name: Clemson, Esther Record Type: Deaths Age at death: 2 Quarter: June Year: 1885 District: Bolton County: Lancashire Volume: 8c Page: 259 (click to see others on page)

Hi Jess, Wow, what a co-incidence, I know it can't be my Esther was I have a photo of her as a young adult. But the surname you found its amazing. My gt grandmother's maiden name was Clemson and in 1901 my grandmother was living with not only her parents but her grandparents as well, named Edward & Mary Clemson. Which would relate to what I think you said earlier, being someone closer to home. Lou

This is a real long shot but in 1901 there is this : Esther Clemson abt 1877 Westminster, London, England Wife Streatham London Esther Clemson abt 1898 Lambeth, London, England Daughter Streatham London James Clemson abt 1877 Pimlico, London, England Head Streatham London Louisa Clemson abt 1900 Lambeth, London, England Daughter Streatham London Could this be a possible for your Esther if like it's been said she might have come from within the family. I was going to try and trace them back to see if I could connect them to the in-laws you had in 1901 of the same name ( Does that make sense ).....Although the area is completly different ! Unfortunatly I have to go so can't check for you .......I know it's a big long shot but it's something to look into maybe ?! Esta

Hi Esta, Thanks for your help, unfortunately I don't think they are mine. I believe my Edward Clemson born 1833 originated from Staffordshire Wolverhampton, info found on 1901 census. But I've kept a copy in case the family are cousins etc. thank you for your time anyway, it's much appreciated. Everyone has been so kind and helpfull, it's really appreciated everyone. Lou

no- I looked up the jackmans and there, as you say in 1901 are the clemson M & F -in-law! View Record Edward Clemson abt 1832 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England Father-in-law South Manchester Lancashire View Record Mary Clemson abt 1831 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England Mother-in-law South Manchester Lancashire Doris Jackman abt 1896 Manchester, Lancashire, England Daughter South Manchester Lancashire Florice Jackman abt 1897 Manchester, Lancashire, England Daughter South Manchester Lancashire Gladys Jackman abt 1890 Manchester, Lancashire, England Daughter South Manchester Lancashire John Jackman abt 1856 Manchester, Lancashire, England Head South Manchester Lancashire Mary Jackman abt 1875 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England Wife South Manchester Lancashire Maud Jackman abt 1898 Manchester, Lancashire, England Daughter South Manchester Lancashire Lol Jess they married in 1895 as i am sure you know View Record Clemson, Mary 1895 March Marriages Prestwich Lancashire View Record Jackman, John 1895 March Marriages Prestwich Lancashire **had you noticed that Gladys was born ermm...ermm 1890! maybe he was married before and esther was a daughter if first marriage.

Hi Jess, thanks again for your help. I have no further info at this time on the Clemsons other than what's in 1901. I ordered what I thought was Mary Jackman's birth (nee Clemson) certificate, with the outside chance it might give me more info which in turn will lead me to Esther, but unfortunately it came back with mother's name as Jane! With the help of kind people I've Edward with Jane from 1861 until 1891 with no Esther. Searched for marriage of Edward & Mary hoping again for direction, but again not much luck, the marriage cert also said the correct names and that Edward was widowed the ages don't match by around 16years & occupations and father's details in correct. So I'm back to square one on that point also. But the family in 1901 are absolutely accurate. Back to the grindstone as they say. Thanks for your help, it's really appreciated and given me a few ideas for further questions of elderly relatives. It's really appreciated Jess, Regards Lou

Hi Jess, Yes I have John and Mary's marriage cert. Gladys was only 11months in 1901, she was born in 1900, and your right John was married previously but he was much older than his 2nd wife, Esther is not his child to his 1st marriage. Lou

Looby, Could Esther be John's grand-daughter ( but not Mary's) from his first marriage?

Hi Janet, I suppose Esther could be John's grandaughter from his 1st marriage, he had a daughter named Mary who would have been 17 in 1901 so I suppose it's a possibility, never thought of that, you lot are so wickedly brilliant on ideas. Thanks I shall look into the possibility. Regards Lou